Migration- Fairview Park
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The Migration mural was created for Fairview Park in Ohio City in honor of individuals who I consider modern day disciples. The Meriman’s, Terri Geltzer, and Molly Carreon are the four individuals featured, along with 12 disciples.
The mural imagery explores every idea of migration, ranging from butterfly migration, to traveling away from storms and disaster. Imagery about sheltering each other, to carrying all you belong on your back are some of the visual allegories in the work. Two images are of families traveling to borders of their countries, which references our modern day issues of children at the border of Mexico, our constant divides between our faith communities, and the need to find new pathways to know and communicate with one another.  The imagery of bird’s migration, and travelers make reference to the journeys of the disciples featured on the bottom of the mural. Each individual featured as a disciple are the lesser known leaders of our neighborhood, who have truly given their lives to social reform of their community. Everything from Bob Shores who is constantly advocated for the homeless, to Tony First who changes peoples lives with his amazing hugs. Nell Sandy who helped found St. Paul’s Community Church is featured.  Mary Ellen Fiala always says she stayed in the neighborhood to learn how to be a person of faith. Mike Fiala is also featured, a leader of the Catholic worker movement.   Judy Corregan, George Herbek, Joan Mcquire,  David Kachedorian and Sue Green are others featured in this mural.  The Migration Mural  sits at Fairview Park in Ohio City, as a historic marker. Close  to this park are historic  sites of the underground railroad, another important type of migration depicted as travelers through our neighborhood.  The historic churches that were part of the underground railroad will become the next locations for a continuation of the migration mural.  We intend for this piece to be ongoing, using the house shaped mural pieces for temporary installations in new locations each year.

3800 Bridges ave Cleveland Ohio 44113
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Gallery

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Creating Murals at historic sites throughout our city is an important element of preserving history, while  providing creative outlets to youth who team up to create community based projects.  Fairview Park was  one block from the historic St. Johns Church on the Underground Railroad, had a  water reservoir for our watershed for 200 years ago, and now is a regular pathway for children cutting through the park. With our mural Fairview Park now  carries the stories of our neighborhood disciples.